How to Increase TikTok Video Views

Getting your TikTok videos in front of more eyes doesn't come down to luck, it's about understanding what resonates with viewers and what signals to the algorithm that your content is worth watching. This guide breaks down actionable strategies you can use today to increase your video views, grow your reach, and build an engaged community on the platform.

Start with a Strong Hook (The First 3 Seconds Matter Most)

On TikTok, you don't have a minute to capture someone's attention - you have less than three seconds. The "For You" page is an endless stream of content, and users are quick to scroll past anything that doesn't immediately grab them. Your video's opening, or "hook," is your single most important tool for stopping the scroll. A strong hook piques curiosity and makes a promise to the viewer about what they're about to see.

Your goal is to convince them that the next 15, 30, or 60 seconds of their time will be well spent. Here are a few types of hooks that work consistently well:

• The Bold Statement: Start with a controversial or surprising opinion related to your niche. For a marketing channel, it might be, "Stop using hashtags on your TikToks... here's why." This immediately makes a viewer want to know the justification for your claim.
• The Problem/Solution: Address a common pain point for your target audience right away. A cooking creator could start with, "If your cookies always turn out flat, you're making this one common mistake." It instantly connects with anyone who has faced that problem.
• The Question: Pose a direct question to the viewer that makes them internally answer 'yes' or makes them curious for your answer. For example, "Did you know you can visit this hidden gem in Italy for under $50?"
• The Visual Hook: Show the stunning end result first. For a DIY or art video, show the beautifully finished product for a split second before cutting to the beginning of the process. This demonstrates the value up front and makes people want to see how you got there.

Ride the Trend Wave (The Smart Way)

Trends are the lifeblood of TikTok. From trending audio clips and filters to challenges and video formats, participating in what’s current is a powerful way to tap into a wider audience. The algorithm is already primed to show trend-based content to more users because it knows people are actively engaging with it. However, the key is to adapt trends to your niche, not just blindly copy them.

How to Find and Use Trends Effectively:

1. Spend Time on the “For You” Page: This is your best source for trend research. Scroll your FYP for 10-15 minutes a day and pay attention to what sounds or formats you hear repeatedly. When you find a sound you like, tap on it to see how many videos have been made with it and what the top-performing ones look like.
2. Check the TikTok Creative Center: TikTok provides its own free trend-spotting tool. You can visit the Creative Center to see trending songs, hashtags, and videos broken down by region and industry.
3. Make it Your Own: Simply replicating a trend isn't enough. Ask yourself: "How can I merge this trend with my message or niche?" If there's a trending audio where people point to text bubbles on screen, use that format to share quick tips about your subject matter. If it's a popular dance, a personal finance creator could do the dance while fun facts about investing appear on screen. This approach gives you the visibility boost of the trend while still providing value to your core audience.

Develop a Smart Hashtag Strategy

Hashtags on TikTok help the algorithm categorize your video and show it to people who have shown interest in that topic. While throwing #fyp or #foryou on your video won't hurt, it’s not a strategy. A better approach is to use a balanced mix of broad and niche hashtags to maximize both reach and relevance.

Think of your hashtag strategy as a pyramid:

• Broad Hashtags (1-2): These are general, high-volume tags describing your overarching industry. Examples include #smallbusiness, #marketing, or #photographytips. These help cast a wide net.
• Niche Hashtags (2-3): These are more specific tags that describe exactly what your video is about and attract your ideal viewer. Instead of just #marketing, try #socialmediamarketingtips or #contentcreationhacks. This helps TikTok find the most qualified audience for your content.
• Trending/Branded Hashtags (1): If your video ties into a current challenge or you're building a community, include a relevant trending or branded hashtag.

Using 3-5 targeted hashtags is a solid sweet spot. It gives the algorithm enough information to categorize your content without looking spammy or confusing it with too many conflicting signals.

Optimize Core Video Elements

Beyond the content itself, several small elements can significantly impact your video's performance. Polishing these details signals quality to both the viewers and the algorithm.

Craft Compelling Captions

Your caption should supplement your video, not just describe it. Keep it short and engaging. One of the best ways to use a caption is to start a conversation. End your caption with an open-ended question like, "What's the best advice you've ever received?" or "Which of these tips are you going to try first?" This prompts viewers to leave a comment, which is a powerful engagement signal.

Add Text Overlays and Closed Captions

Many users watch TikToks without sound. Adding on-screen text overlays to highlight key points makes your video more accessible and easier to consume. It also helps reinforce your message and can increase watch time, as some viewers will re-watch to read all the text.

Use TikTok's auto-caption feature to generate subtitles. This not only makes your content more inclusive for the hard of hearing but also caters to everyone watching in a quiet environment. Every second they spend on your video, whether watching or reading, contributes to your total watch time.

Design a Clear Cover Photo (Thumbnail)

Your video's cover photo appears on your profile grid. A clear, cohesive set of covers makes your profile look more professional and can encourage new visitors to check out more of your content. Choose a frame from your video that is visually interesting and add a text title that clearly explains the video’s "why." For instance, a title like "3 SEO Mistakes to Avoid" is much more compelling than a random frame from the video.

Post Consistently (and a Note on Timing)

Consistency is more important than raw frequency. Trying to post three times a day might lead to burnout and low-quality content. Instead, find a sustainable posting schedule that you can stick to, whether it’s three times a week or once a day. A consistent cadence trains the algorithm - and your audience - to expect content from you regularly.

As for the "best" time to post, there is no universal secret. The optimal time for your account depends entirely on when your audience is most active. Luckily, TikTok makes this easy to find.

Here’s how to check your personalized analytics:

1. Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top-right corner.
2. Select "Creator Tools," then "Analytics."
3. Navigate to the "Followers" tab.
4. Scroll down to "Follower activity." This graph will show you the days and hours your followers are most active on the app. Use this data as your starting point for scheduling your posts.

Spark and Foster Engagement

Engagement - likes, comments, shares, and saves - is one of the strongest signals you can send to the TikTok algorithm that your video provides value. Going viral is often a direct result of a massive wave of engagement. You can actively encourage this interaction in several ways.

Reply to Comments Promptly

When someone takes the time to comment on your video, reply! It validates their input, fosters community, and DOUBLES the engagement count on that video. A comment and a reply count as two interactions, not one. A simple "Thank you!" or a more-detailed answer can go a long way.

Use Video Replies to Comments

One of the most powerful engagement tools on TikTok is the video reply feature. If a user asks a great question in your comments, you can create a new video that directly answers their question, with their comment featured as a sticker at the beginning. This is a win-win: the commenter feels seen and special, and you get a fantastic content idea that you already know at least one person is interested in hearing about.

Interact with Other Creators

Don't just post and ghost. Spend a few minutes each day genuinely commenting on videos from other creators in your niche. It builds goodwill, introduces your profile to new, relevant audiences (people see your insightful comments), and signals to TikTok that you are an active member of your community.

Final Thoughts

Increasing your TikTok views is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistently applying these fundamentals - creating strong hooks, adapting trends to your niche, using a smart hashtag strategy, and fostering community engagement - will build momentum over time and send the right signals to the algorithm.

Mastering this consistency across multiple platforms can be a challenge. At Postbase, we designed a simple, modern social media management tool built for today's video-first world. We created a visual calendar to help you plan your TikToks alongside your other content and reliable, direct scheduling to make sure your videos go live exactly when you intend. If your goal is to build a consistent presence without the hassle, our platform can help you stay on track and focus on what you do best: creating great content.